In Gwadar, the capital of Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan, a large-scale protest took place on Friday, July 26th. This area is a hub for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which was built with a $50 billion investment from China.
The protest was organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a group that focuses on the rights of the citizens, politics, and economy of Balochistan province and has local support. Since last Friday, Gwadar has been engulfed in chaos.
Gwadar’s deep-sea port was constructed in 2006 and is operated by China. Additionally, China has built Pakistan’s largest airport in Gwadar, with plans for it to start operating this year.
Balochistan province, with a population of 15 million people, is a small part of Pakistan’s total population of 240 million. However, the province boasts rich natural resources that could bring substantial revenue to the government.
On July 27th, Pakistani paramilitary forces opened fire on a bus carrying participants heading to a Balochistan national assembly in Gwadar from Mastung, about 35 miles west of Quetta, injuring at least 14 people.
The Balochistan provincial government has blocked roads and highways, cut off internet and phone communications, isolating Gwadar – once hailed as a budding port city similar to Dubai. It has now become a focal point of contention between Baloch people, the Pakistani federal government, and Beijing. Authorities have imposed blockades and restrictions across the province.
On July 28th, Mahrang Baloch, the 31-year-old chief organizer of BYC, called for a “Baloch National Gathering” to demand justice for victims forcibly disappeared by the authorities and to ensure that Baloch people benefit from China-funded projects.
Despite authorities blocking all highways leading to Gwadar, a significant number of protesters managed to reach the city after Mahrang Baloch’s call.
Multiple reports indicate that during the protests, the Pakistani military brutally suppressed peaceful demonstrators.
Reportedly, on July 28th, the crackdown intensified with security forces in Gwadar killing at least three protesters and injuring dozens. On July 29th, police used tear gas to disperse protesters. On July 30th, security forces fired on demonstrators in the outskirts of Gwadar.
BYC stated that since July 28th, government crackdowns on protesters have led to clashes, resulting in at least one protester killed, over ten injured, and hundreds arrested.
BYC stated on X platform: “Since July 28th, the brutal repression of Baloch National Gathering participants continues. According to the latest reports, after forces attacked peaceful protesters in Gwadar, over ten participants were injured.”
“The forces are entering residential areas where participants live, causing significant damage to families. They are now targeting residences, intimidating and harassing peaceful participants, including the elderly, women, and children. The lives of thousands of participants are in danger,” BYC wrote on X platform.
The Pakistani military’s mouthpiece, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), denied BYC’s claims, stating in a release, “A group of violent protesters wearing ‘Baloch Raji Muchi’ outfits attacked security personnel on duty in the Gwadar area. One soldier died in an unjust attack by violent demonstrators in the Gwadar district, with 16 people, including an officer, injured.”
After facing violent repression, BYC transformed its gathering into a sit-in protest, which is ongoing at the time of this report.
On July 28th, Amnesty International issued a statement urging Pakistani authorities to immediately lift the internet blockade in Balochistan, fulfill their obligations under domestic and international human rights law, remove roadblocks, and allow protesters to move freely to safeguard the right to peaceful protest.
On July 30th, the Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC) called on the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, and other organizations to swiftly take action to protect the fundamental rights of the people of Balochistan.
Experts believe that this large-scale protest has angered Beijing, as its interests in the region are under threat.
A Balochistan provincial government official remarked, “This protest is aimed at disrupting the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor plan in Gwadar.”
Independent security analyst Kiyya Baloch wrote on The Diplomat website on July 31st, “The Pakistani government’s use of force against a widely supported peaceful movement could potentially push more Baloch youth towards violent insurgency.”
He further stated, “In recent years, China (the CCP) has faced significant security challenges in Pakistan… Public dissatisfaction with Chinese investments appears to be growing. Since 2021, there have been several large-scale protests in Gwadar, despite the inception of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor a decade ago. Residents remain discontented over deprivation of basic civil rights and essential amenities.”